Travel and Tourism in Trinidad and Tobago

About this Report

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Tourism organisations from 27 EU member states voted unanimously for Trinidad and Tobago to receive the highest honour in tourism. The Best Tourism Destination award is offered to countries that have complied with the United Nations Tourism Division, UNESCO and the EU on Tourism and Trade’s principles on fair tourism, ethical tourism, safety standards and the historic preservation of cultural sites. Some of the reasons for the award of World’s Best Tourism Destination for 2012 to Trinidad and Tobago were the respect for cultural patrimony and traditions in offering tourists the possibility to participate in festivals such as Holi, Hosay, Divali, Corpus Christi, Eid Al-Fitr, Tobago Heritage Festival, and Carnival. The country’s dedication to the protection of the environment, the wetlands, beaches and ecological and geographical biodiversity also contributed.

Nature attracts tourists to Trinidad and Tobago

There is a wide range of activities which can be participated in that revolve around nature. Cave exploration at Gasparee Caves, wildlife photography in places such as the El Tucuche Reserve, Valencia Wildlife Sanctuary, Caroni Bird Sanctuary, cycling and hiking at Argyle Waterfall and kayaking at Paria Bay and Tobago. Trinidad and Tobago protects its wetlands and beaches and supports the concept of nature-friendly tourism, for the preservation of natural biodiversity and the protection of endangered species and areas. The Forest Reserve in Tobago attracts tourists worldwide. Tobago’s coral reefs are some of the best in the region, and an impressive abundance of marine life can be seen.

Sports tourism may boom in Trinidad and Tobago

A niche area that Trinidad and Tobago is pursuing is sports tourism. In Trinidad, stadia host cricket, football and track and field events. Also, a sports tourism department in the Tourism Development Company has been established in order to take advantage of sporting opportunities, such as hosting games that could attract thousands of people at a time.

Crime threatens tourism

In order to successfully position itself as a tourist destination, Trinidad and Tobago needs to address the issue of crime. Crime remains a large threat to the development of tourism in Trinidad and Tobago. While much of the violence in the region is gang related, the incidence of tourists being robbed, sexually assaulted and murdered has increased in recent years.